One of the more complex interactions, perhaps counterintuitive at first glance, is the relationship between smoke and lasers.

As one peruses the gear they will often see this ability:

LASER DESIGNATOR: May be used to mark targets or locations (laser designation). Must be able to draw an unblocked line from the laser designator to the marked spot or target. Friendly units targeting marked spot with NLOS type weapons may nullify line of sight modifiers.

Here are some common questions we get:

Lasers work in smoke? Sure . . . While the laser might defuse a bit while traveling through the smoke, the reality is that that is only a very small part of the beam and if the operator of the laser can see the target, the beam going in to the smoke area in all actuality is more of a vector pointer. The missile’s targeting system picks up the laser and uses the vector data to inform the flight calculation/course corrections to target. By the time the missile reaches the smoke area it is moving at hypersonic speed and likely not going impact whether it hits anyways.

Would the laser designating unit need to be able to “see” the target? Yes . . . the word is “unblocked” So if there is no part of the target unit showing, or the target is fully in smoke and the designating unit has no seer system, the line is blocked (either by smoke or physical cover)

What if the entire beam is in smoke? This is a more obscure case thus not directly covered in the existing rules. As a clarification if the entire laser beam is in smoke laser designation cannot happen as the missile essentially can’t find the beam. To date missiles don’t have seer systems aboard the missile, even if the controlling unit does.

Can laser designator gear really negate all cover for missile shots? Yes . . . the reality is the rules allow the laser to negate the NLOS modifier of -6. Since a missile can always be fired NLOS, even if a direct path to the target exist, the laser can be used to negate all cover modifiers.

Why can’t I laser designate other types of rounds such as rifles or rockets? Guided missiles are the only rounds with the ability to self-correct course in midflight. Rockets are not guided, and rifles are pre-aimed for example.

Can any laser weapon designate? Laser designation is tuned to a special frequency that is detectable by missiles. Unless the weapon specifies otherwise in the abilities, laser weapons are not tuned for, thus cannot provide, laser designation.

Here is a teaser for the TechCommander Invitational Event this year at Origins:

USSC Sector 28 Command Station “Rushed Tango”

Aleksy Kowalski sat at his monitoring station bored as usual. The sector only had mining facilities and backwater colonies so this area of space never had unscheduled traffic. He looked over at his clock, noting exactly how early in the morning it was, and starting counting “Five, four, three, two…” and the computer beeped as a supply ship jumped in. “Twelve minutes and 23 seconds behind schedule, right on cue.” Aleksy muttered as he logged the discrepancy. He reached over for his coffee and jumped as the computer announced the arrival of another ship. He hurried back over to the computer to look at the unexpected traffic. “That’s impossible! That ship was destroyed.” Aleksy told himself as he reached for the phone and punched in some numbers. “General, you need to come in right away. The system just picked up the signature of the ARYSK.”

30 minutes later

General Moorehaven was cautiously optimistic as he walked the corridor to the command center. In some circles, he was considered responsible for the USSC’s defeat against the radical separatist group, the PLF, and the loss of the USSC’s local command ship. The military had declared it destroyed but he knew better. He after having been found himself essentially barred from promotion, and reassigned to a remote and generally dull sector but today was the day he could hopefully regain his standing. He entered the command center and made a beeline for Aleksy’s station.

“I know what you’re going to ask and I have already triple checked. There is no doubt that it’s the ARYSK.” Said Aleksy without even turning to look at the General. “As soon as it jumped in it made its way to the only mining planet in this sector that has a USSC installation. What do you want to do sir?”

“Send all available forces” the general said. As he studied the sector’s command grid, he noticed a USSC task force in the sector that was unattached to him. “Tell me, who is that task force and what are they doing there?”

Aleksy worked at his terminal for a few seconds, paused, and then started typing away furiously. After about a minute he replied “The entire file is classified above any access we’d have. I was able to find a name but unless ‘Threebest’ means anything to you we won’t get any more information.” Aleksy turned around to face the General. “Worse, the ARYSK is heading on a bombing course and our forces won’t get there in time. We will have to hope the Commander on station will be able to hold them off.”